Branthwaite signs new Everton contract

Young central defenders need to be physically capable to cope as well as being technically good enough and mentally strong. I think it the core strength physicality and resilience that Benitez will be assessing.

Delighted that he committed himself to the club and has signed on for 3½ years.

With his talent and potential, we can afford to let him develop until next season. He needs good game time now and, if we're not going to give him it, a loan is best this season. But you just know we'll have an injury crisis at centre-back come February.

5 months and 15 or so starts at a Championship team that has to do a lot of defending would really help his development. If that loan goes well, then hopefully he'll be close to getting significant first-team time for us next season. He's still incredibly young for a centre-back.

Also, I'd be looking to see if there's anyway we could persuade Levi Colwill to do a Livramento or Lamptey and leave Chelsea. He's only 18 but has probably been Huddersfield's best player this year. Dunno if he has a clear pathway ahead of him with the likes Christensen, Chalobah, Sarr, Ampadu possibly ahead of him. Looks a real talent.

I would be even happier if we sold one of our centre-backs (Holgate?) and brought this lad on more as a statement of belief.

When was the last time we had a lefty at centre back? With Mina out again, give him a chance!!! At least give him some minutes on the pitch, he has been sat on the subs bench for long enough now without getting a game.

This may be too late but l wouldn't mind seeing Davies go out on loan also when fit again so he can get to play every week. Could do him the world of good.

Keane would be able bodied backup on the bench, and if we really need to get another centre-back (on the cheap) whose contract is expiring. Romagnoli at Milan is a good option and also someone we've been linked to previously, The downside is we'll have to deal with Raiola again!

"This may be too late but l wouldn't mind seeing Davies go out on load also when fit again so he can get to play every week. Could do him the world of good."

You mean that a Championship side may be interested in buying him? He has never showed anything to me since his introduction against Man City where we won 4-0 and he scored a goal after coming on, which he has dined off ever since!

He would also have less time on his hands, instead of dressing like a cross between a Skateboarding Beau Brummell and Bette Davies! :-)

A Championship loan is one possibility, but honestly I'd rather we just ship Holgate someplace -- anyplace! -- in January and give Jarrad his minutes.

DK #15, that inaugural goal against City was actually in Tom's 8th appearance, not his introduction, but as far as I'm concerned it's his second goal that will always matter most. April 9, 2017 against Leicester. 32 seconds. I'll dine him out on that one forever.

Robert #16, you mean Richarlison isn't natural?

In fact I am disgusted that you have seen fit to mention this fellow in the same context as stalwarts Gabriel and the Golden Vision.

Who was it that said 'don't mock the afflicted'? Not fit to grace the same hallowed group as these two and other greats.

I would be looking at getting 30+points on the board early, then giving the likes of Branthwaite, Dobbin and Simms significant game time this season. If they don't cut it, we'll get more for them with Premier League experience. If they do, we save ourselves a small fortune.

We're not challenging for Europe, so it seems a no brainer to me.

And I too want to see more of those youngsters, even if it costs us a place or two in the middle of the table. If even one works out, it will save us millions in transfer fees.

Maybe we're starting to pay attention.

That comment was on another thread, prior to them getting round to giving the very good Branthwaite news its own thread, and they just lifted my comment from there.

I don’t generally need help to look so far behind the times, but cheers to the mods.

Jarrad Branthwaite makes Rafa Benitez claim and reveals next steps after signing new Everton contract

Encouraging to see that any weaknesses are being worked on and ironed out, after training too.

You need 5 central defenders to do this. It will help Digne or Coleman and the midfield too.

I was a 5'-10" centre-back in my Sunday league team and was a big Jagielka fan. I had to stand on giant forwards toes and other tricks to help win more than my fair share of headers. 😉 Godfrey has a better physique than I did in my prime and he needs to be better in the air.

I'm glad we've tied Jarrad down; I hope to see him get game time this season whether here or on loan.

Robert @18 – spat my coffee out, good one!!

If the penny won't drop and Holgate is never going to mature as a top centre-half, then it's no good wasting Branthwaite on a loan. We are not Chelsea. We've done that with Nkounkou and are left with a woeful Digne who may or not get his form back.

At the moment, Branthwaite is probably better or more effective than any of the centre-halves we have. Unproven for now but we have to get him in and see if he makes a difference. Same up front with Dobbin if Calvert-Lewin breaks down again.

We have won just two games with him. They were against Burnely and Norwich. He was poor in both. He was run ragged at Villa Park where we were proper twatted and although he managed to start against Arsenal he hobbled off again. We went on to win the match... without him.

Holgate is not applying himself the way he should, but he is a vastly superior footballer to wooden Yerry. He has played more games and the defeat at Wolves was the only time we didn't pick up any points when he played.

I'd rather have a player who makes mistakes trying to play, than one who constantly gives up chances because he isn't good enough. If Big Yerry was put up for sale, there would be no takers in this country. Nobody wants a crock.

In the interest of balance, I would say the big fella had an excellent game at Old Trafford... probably his best.

Referring to Holgate, you say "He has played more games" – Not this season, he hasn't. Unless you include the ones he missed because he picked up a red card.

Don't be telling porkies or we won't believe the rest of your one-eyed nonsense.

Southampton. Huddersfield, Brighton, QPR, Wolves, Tottenham. - Six games. Not including ban.

Mina played against

Leeds. Burnley, Villa, Norwich, and Man U - Five games - not including all those on sick bed.

Both played against Arsenal.

No Porkies. Just the recorded appearances.

I agree, I’d like to see him get game time here. I don’t make the decisions though!